Al Hagedorn, Jr., publisher, dies at 83.

Hundreds of industry members and friends gathered on Monday to remember Alfred Hagedorn, Jr., co-founder and publisher of Real Estate Weekly, who died on September 23 at St. Francis Hospital on Long Island due to complications following heart surgery.

Hagedorn, 83, who founded the newspaper in 1955 with his brother, Charles, was active as publisher until his death. Under Alfred's careful guidance, Real Estate Weekly has become a New York real estate institution, known to many as "the bible" of the industry.

Born in New York City in 1913, Hagedorn was a descendant of a southern family that immigrated to America in the 1830s. His maternal grandfather, who lived in Philadelphia, received a commendation from President Abraham Lincoln after his escape from the Confederate's infamous Libby Prison.

A resident of Manhattan and Sands Point, NY, Hagedorn was a member of the Real Estate Board of New York, Young Men's/ Women's Real Estate Association, Associated Builders and Owners, Association of Real Estate Women and countless other industry groups. In 1982 he was named Man of the Year by the American Legion, Peter Minuit Post 1247, and he was to be honored by Associated Builders and Owners of Greater New York (ABO) on November 6 as Media Man of the Decade. He will be honored posthumously.

ABO President Jerome Belson, who also heads up Belson Enterprises Inc., said, "The industry will miss one of the great statesmen. The paper which he founded, Real Estate Weekly, has been the bible for active real estate developers, builders and operators. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Barbara, and the family. He will be seriously missed."

Christopher Hagedorn, his nephew and president of Hagedorn Communications, said, "Al loved his work and the industry we covered. We will dearly miss him. Real Estate Weekly is his legacy, which we will proudly carry on."

Broker Eugene A. Hegy, who heads Eugene A. Hegy & Associates, recalled sponsoring Alfred as a member of the then Young Men's Real Estate Club. Since Alfred was a couple of years past they gave him their first special dispensation to become a member, Hegy recalled.

"I looked forward to most of our industry functions knowing that he was one of the people who would always be there," Hegy said. "Al didn't miss many. He was one of the nicest people in the industry and he will be sorely missed."

"Everybody knew Al, and everybody loved him," said Roxanne Donovan, president of Great Ink Communications, Ltd., who served under Hagedorn as editor of the paper from 1986 to 1988. "He loved the people, he loved the deals. He got caught up in the excitement of the business and made it exciting to write about. He always went out of his way to make sure people knew who I was and opened a thousand doors for me. He made me feel like I could go on to do anything."

Current editor Eric R. Gerard remembered Alfred as a man of integrity and generous spirit. "He rarely had a bad word to say about anyone and was genuinely concerned about doing the fight thing when it came to his publication and the industry," Gerard said. "He treated me like family, always taking the time to explain things and introduce me at industry functions. I will miss him tremendously."

Helen Rousakis, former director of advertising for the publication, said, "Coming to work and going to real estate functions was never the same without Alfred. I just figured he would always be here for us. I will greatly miss him.

"In a few short months, Alfred taught me more about the real estate business than I ever thought I'd know," said Louis Wallis, an account executive at Real Estate Weekly. "He made me really care about my job."

"He was very supportive when my mother was in the hospital," recalls long-time executive assistant Melissa Mingo. "He treated me like family, and I'll always remember him for that."

Steve Solomon, executive vice president of Rubenstein Associates, Inc. and head of their real estate division, recalled a 30-plus year relationship with the publisher which began during his tenure as editor in the early 1960s. "Alfred really introduced me to the world of real estate and we remained friends for over 30 years," Solomon said. "He was a warm, genuine, caring person, and I enjoyed all of my relationships with him, as an employee, then as a publicist, and as a friend."

Melvyn Bisgyer, director of real estate finance for Simon Rudd Associates, recalled that in his various positions as commander of the Peter Minuit Post, president of the B'nai B'rith Real Estate Lodge and chairman of the Education Committee of the Real Estate Board of New York, he could always count on Hagedorn.

"Whenever I needed an announcement or something put in Real Estate Weekly, Al never once hesitated," Bisgyer said. He was always there and did what he could. He felt that the publicizing of community organizations was part of the newspaper's duty and obligation."

In addition to his brother Charles, Hagedorn is survived by his wife, Barbara; brother, Horace of Sands Point, NY; a son, Alfred, of Manhattan; a daughter, Lynn Olla, of Altamonte Springs, Fla.; and two grandchildren.

Reprinted from Real Estate Weekly, October 2, 1996